NOTE OF CAUTION:  Please consult with your physician or a licensed homeopathic practitioner before using or trying any aroma or crystal therapies.  This is to ensure that it will not interfere with current medical treatments.

    Sage is a wonderful complement to your aromatherapy routine.  Salvia Officinalis or Sage is a perennial plant with purple-green leaves and violet-blue or white flowers.  It comes as fresh or dried leaves or essential oil, which is derived from the flowers and stems through distillation.  Sage has a strong, heady, musky scent with sharp tones, that when burned as incense, provides relief to a number of maladies.  The essential oil tends to have a stronger and sharper scent when used, especially if it is 100% pure essential oil.  For most of us, we have seen the dried and fresh versions used as a common cooking herb.

    As with all of my posts, before we get to the “good” stuff, you must endure a small history lesson, so bear with me.  Sage has been around for centuries, Salvre is Latin for heal or save.  The Chinese believed it could cure infertility in women and the Romans thought it could cure everything, calling  it the “sacred herb”.  During the Middle Ages, sage was used as a nerve tonic as well as a gum cleanser and tooth whitener.  “Give me any word and I will show you how it is Greek.” ~ Yes, I am Greek and I do believe we invented everything~ The Greeks used it to treat snake bites, to invigorate the mind and body, or promote longevity.  It was in the 1800′s that they used sage to treat warts and it is still used today to soothe insect bites.  In fact, the English drank sage tea prior to the importing of the Chinese and Indian versions during the 1600′s.  Just as recently as last night, I have found it to be an extremely effective bug repellent while sitting outside.

    Sage is associated with the planet, Jupiter and the element, Air.  It’s magical connections are varied with ties to bringing luck, wisdom, and money as well as improving the memory and conscious mind.  It can be found in a variety of places under many names such as Clary Sage, Garden Sage, Dalmatian, Meadow Sage, Scarlett Sage, Tree Sage and Spanish Sage. 

    Spanish Sage seems to be the least toxic of all the types in oil form.  Pure Sage Essential Oil contains high levels of the Ketone, THUJONE.  IT SHOULD NOT  be used by pregnant women, people taking seizure medications or the medication Antabuse, or while drinking.  Fresh or dried Sage is truly the best and safest for aromatherapy so long as it is used appropriately.  If you wish to use the essential oil, use it in a bath or aroma lamp.  Put one to two drops of essential oil in the bath tub or aroma lamp mixed with warm water and you will find it quite relaxing  and effective.  Remember, anything more could potentially be quite TOXIC.

    Sage has numerous uses other than as a cooking herb.  It can stop lactation, act as an antiseptic or astringent, promote healing of small cuts or scars, assist in stopping heavy menstrual bleeding, ease excessive sweating or give  a hand to those who are suffering the evil that is called Menopause.  Sage is especially helpful in calming the nerves, decreasing stress or tiredness, or easing trembling.  It actually imitates the female hormone, Estrogen, and has a good reputation among homeopathic healers in aiding in conception and menopause.  If you add some Sage essential oil to your bath or infuse it in a warm, hot compress, it will ease menstrual cramps.

    As a skin cream or treatment, Sage seems to be mild enough for all skin types.  When used in a lotion, it is wonderful for those overworked muscles, helps calm dermatitis or psoriasis.  It aids in balancing the sebum levels of the skin and when used in shampoo, it is supposed to make that dank, dull hair shine.  I prefer to use it during meditation and for the removal of negative energies in my home.  As I told you earlier, I now use it for a bug repellent as well.  

    If you wish to “clear” your home of negative energy and for protection, here is a simple ritual that I use.  You may adjust it to suit yourself, but you will need a Sage smudge stick, some matches or a lighter, and a bowl or plate to catch any stray ashes or fly aways.  Stand in the center of your home and begin by smudging or waving the smoking sage around your self.  Be careful you do not burn or set yourself on fire.  Recite, either out loud or in your head, a blessing or prayer.  You can make up your own or modify the one I use.

    ” Goddess or God, I ask for your blessings upon this house and those in it.  Please protect my family, make this place a place of peace, joy, happiness, love, understanding, and acceptance.  Allow only good and positive energy to dwell here.  Repel and remove all negative energy.” 

     I smudge all rooms in the house to include the garage, deck, and all of the doors.  I even smudge our poor dog, Duncan.  Remember, when you are done, to thank whatever divinity you asked for the blessing from, for their blessings, benevolence, and protection.  I routinely do this a couple times a month but you can do it as often as you want.

    A final word of caution, if you are interested in working with Sage or any essential oils, please check out some reputable resources such as “The Directory of Essential Oils” by Wanda Sellar or “The Aromatherapy Encyclopedia” by Carol and David Schiller to name just a few.  My next post will be about Lavender, it is known for its ability to aid restful sleep.